171/17 The Vice-Chairman reminded Members of their responsibility for any Declarations of Interest on Agenda items for this meeting and for any changes to their Register of Interest Declarations.

MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING

172/17 It was resolved that the Minutes of the meeting held on 14 August 2017, copies of which had been previously distributed to Members, be signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

QUESTIONS FROM THE PRESS AND THE PUBLIC

173/17 Mrs Barbara Stafford asked about progress regarding planning application 17/00706 Mary Days Garages, a matter she had raised to Council on 14 August 2017. The Chairman explained that TWBC has not yet determined the application from Town & Country Housing (T&C) to demolish the garages. Council has asked for a meeting with T&C to express the dismay of local residents. (Post Meeting: this has been set for 18 September).

174/17 Mrs Stafford asked what action is being taken regarding the issue she raised about the appearance of the ashes memorial tablets on the north side of St Mary’s Church. She was informed that the Chairman of the Burial Board has been away but that Council will respond in due course.

REPORTS FROM COUNTY AND BOROUGH COUNCILLORS

175/17 County Cllr Seán Holden briefed Council in some detail on the matter of:

School transport. Several local families are considerably and upset by the implementation of confusing and allegedly illogical KCC policies relating to school bus services to High Weald Academy and Cranbrook School. Some children benefiting from school bus services (at a significant cost) whereas others have been denied. Appeals have been turned down. Those wishing to protest should write to County Cllr Roger Gough, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education at County Hall, Maidstone ME14 1XY.

HGVs. The issue of increasing numbers of HGVs transiting Kent is being addressed by Kent and Medway MPs.

Garden Villages. No decisions have been made about this yet but it is thought that the most likely site in this Borough is along the A21 north of Tunbridge Wells.

AMENITIES COMMITTEE

The Chairman of the Amenities Committee reported:

176/17 Goudhurst Pond De-silting. Following Minute 146/17. It was noted that the Contractor has reported a hold up in the Environment Agency giving the final permission for the removal of the silt to local farm land. It seems unlikely that the planned date of the week of 25 September for the work to be carried out will now be met. It could be put back to the second half of October 2017.

177/17 Chequer Field – Grounds Maintenance Contract. It was resolved to agree expenditure of £365.00 net of VAT on the cost of moving one set of goal post sockets at the south end of the football pitch a few yards northwards to avoid the area of poor drainage.

178/17 Balcombes Hill Car Park – Parking Places Order. The Clerk is in touch with KCC Kent Legal Services. A date for a meeting has yet to be confirmed with Invicta Law Ltd.

179/17 Goudhurst in Bloom 2017. Minute 151/17. Cllr Mrs Angela Broom and Mrs Gill Wallis-Hosken were congratulated on a very successful competition. The awards ceremony at the Star & Eagle on 04 September was well attended.

180/17 Chequer Field Reptile Wildlife Area. Council noted that there has been an informal agreement since c2010/11 with Mr Keith Peevor of Cliefden. He has an interest in reptiles and wild life that live in the swathe of long grass along the north side of Chequer Field. This grass is only cut by Council after discussion with Mr Peevor. The Clerk has checked with the TWBC Landscape & Biodiversity Officer who has confirmed that this area is not formally recorded and would not qualify for listing. However, he has suggested that Council draws up a simple Management Plan for this area. Council has received a request from Mr Peevor for a grant of £500 for the continued well being of the area with suitable hibernation areas as well as basking and secure hide sites. This follows advice he has received from Mr Steve Songhurst the well respected Chairman of the Kent Reptile and Amphibian Group. It was agreed that the Chairman of the Amenities Committee with the Clerk will meet Mr Peevor and report back with recommendations to Council.

BURIAL BOARD

The Chairman of the Burial Board reported:

181/17 St Mary’s Floodlighting. Following Minute 115/17. It was noted that the Burial Board understands that the much delayed replacement floodlights will be installed before the end of October 2017. In the meantime it was agreed to suggest to the St Mary’s PCC Fabric Committee that a suitable light be installed over the west door to the Church.

182/17 Brick Footpath across St Mary’s Churchyard. Minute 116/17. It was noted that the Chairman of the Burial Board with the Clerk met TWBC Conservation and Urban Design Officer to discuss the recommended repairs to the path to reduce the slips and trips risks. Subsequently she and the Clerk had met a representative of a contractor that specialises in repairs and renovations to ancient buildings including Churches. The contractor undertook to produce a recommended specification of works with costs.

183/17 Churchyards Clean Up Day. It was noted that this will be held on Saturday, 14 October 2017 starting at 9.00 am. The Clerk has invited the Scouts to join in and the Friends of St Mary’s will be attending. Mr Will Thompson has agreed to lend his giant trailer and to dispose of the arisings.

HIGHWAYS & FOOTPATHS COMMITTEE

The Chairman of the Highways & Footpaths (H&F) Committee reported:

184/17 Speed Indicator Device (SID) Deed of Easement. Minute 153/17. It was noted that the Clerk had sent to Kent Highways the signed Deed of Easement between Kent Highways and Mr David Hill of North Road.

185/17 Speed Indicator Device (SID). It was resolved to purchase, through Kent Highways, the Advanced SID package at a cost of £7,027.17. This is the 12kg sign + 12kg battery which has a ‘slow down’ illumination with each vehicle’s actual speed and data collection software. The installation of the poles at approved sites is included in the cost. The battery life is 1 week before recharging is required. It was resolved that Council will use the services of an established contractor rather than casual labour to move the sign between poles from time to time and to recharge the batteries. The Clerk will follow up on this latter point.

186/17 Footway on A262 Station Road from Ranters Lane junction to Bluecoats Lane Junction. Following Minute 154/17. It was noted that that the developer of the new houses at Hope Mill will make a financial contribution to the cost of establishing a footway through the swale at the junction of Blue Coats Lane and A262 Station Road.

Meanwhile Council plans to meet the owner of the swale alongside Station Road to explain Council’s outline plans for this project but has not yet agreed a date for the meeting.

187/17 Speed limit reduction on A262 Cranbrook Road. Minute 155/17. It was resolved to take no further action on this proposed project due the complexities and costs with Kent Highways devolving the work to be done to the Parish Council.

188/17 Junction of B2079 North Road with B2084 Chequers Road. It was noted that a local resident had approached Council in March 2017 with the request that an ‘extension of the kerb further into the highway’ be established. The purpose is to slow southbound traffic on North Road which turns east into Chequers Road. At present the perception is that much of such traffic takes the corner too fast thus creating an unnecessary risk. The matter had been passed to Kent Highways who indicated that they could not support the proposed scheme. However, this Highways & Footpaths Committee is of the view that that it should be explored further. Resolved: that the Clerk investigates with Kent Highways the procedure for carrying out the work under Parish Council auspices.

POLICE & NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH

The Chairman of the Police & Neighbourhood Watch Committee reported:

189/17 CCTV. It was noted that the owner of a property in Goudhurst High Street had expressed frustration over Council’s unserviceable CCTV camera on his premises. The Chairman agreed to follow up with the complainant to explain Council’s plans to update the CCTV system in the Parish.

PLANNING COMMITTEE

It was resolved to note the following Decisions from TWBC published in August 2017:

An improvement to the property. The proposal will have minimal impact on the locality or the AONB. Goudhurst Parish Council recommends approval subject to the views of the Conservation Officer.

17/02542 Marlingate Granary Bedgebury Road Goudhurst

Proposed single storey rear extension

Recommend approval

This proposal will have little impact on the locality or the AONB. Goudhurst Parish Council recommends approval subject to current TWBC regulations relating to volumetric increases.

17/02543 Marlingate Granary Bedgebury Road Goudhurst

Listed Building Consent – Proposed single storey rear extension

Recommend approval

This proposal will have little impact on the locality or the AONB. Goudhurst Parish Council recommends approval subject to current TWBC regulations relating to volumetric increases.

17/02563 Grange Farm House Chequers Road Goudhurst

Erection of 1.2m high fence

Recommend approval

Subject to conditions that require the fence should not be painted, or only stained or un-treated, and that the hedge should be replanted where there are gaps, Goudhurst Parish Council (GPC) is content that the application is approved.

GPC notes that this application is for a 1.2m high fence which is a reduction from application 17/00701 which was for a 1.8m high fence.

17/02604 Flimwell Radio Station Lady Oak Lane Flimwell

Telecommunication Notification – Erection of satellite dish and support pole on new proposed concrete base; Erection of antenna on existing equipment cabin

Recommend approval

Goudhurst Parish Council has no objection to this application

17/02638 Old Orchard (formerly Wynsdale) Chicks Lane Kilndown

Single storey rear and side extension with rooflights, alterations to fenestration including removal of full height window unit and replacement of existing door unit with bay window as well as some internal alterations

Recommend approval

Goudhurst Parish Council believes that the proposed alterations will improve the dwelling while having minimal impact on the locality.

17/02725 Chicks Cottage Chicks Lane Kilndown

Single storey rear/side extension

Recommend approval

A very modest proposal which will have minimal impact on the locality.

17/02729 Royal Oak Garage London Road Flimwell

Erection of a storage building

Recommend approval.

Although a substantial building, in view of its location at the back of the yard, it will have minimal impact on the locality or the AONB and will often be difficult to see, because of vehicles in front of it. The application does not appear to indicate what the colour of the finished building will be. Officers should ensure that it is a discreet neutral colour.

17/00706 Garage Site Mary Days Goudhurst

Demolition of existing garages and erection of 1 No dwelling with 5 parking places.

Council has recommended refusal to TWBC on 03 April 2017.

At Planning Committee on 15 August 2017 a number of local residents attended to express concerns over this application. Mrs Barbara Stafford read a prepared statement relating to 17/00706. The application is by Monson Homes Ltd also known as Town & Country Housing. It was noted that the Parish Council, on 03 April, recommended refusal and had asked that the Application be referred to Committee. The determination date was 28 April 2017 but to date TWBC has not published their decision. Local residents who have lease agreements on the 9 garages are concerned about receiving a Notice to Quit (the garages) by 11 September 2017. Collectively, and with other local residents, they have pointed out that this is a loss of 18 parking places since there is room for parking on hard standing outside each garage. The area is already critically short of parking. It was agreed that Council will write to both the Head of Planning Services at TWBC as well as the Chief Executive of Town & Country Housing. (Post meeting note: The Chairman, the Clerk and Mrs Stafford will meet Town & Country Manager on 18 September at Tunbridge Wells).

NEIGHBOURHOOD DEVELOPMENT PLAN

192/17 Public Workshops. The Chairman encouraged Members to make a special effort to support the forthcoming NDP Workshops:

Housing and Design23 September 2017 at Goudhurst Parish Hall.09.00 to 13.00 hrs

Traffic and Economy07 October 2017 at Kilndown Village Hall.09.00 to 13.00 hrs

Landscape and Community21 October 2017 at Kilndown Village Hall.09.00 to 13.00 hrs

TRAINING

193/17 Planning Training. It was noted that TWBC Building Control and Development Manager has offered to visit Council to present a planning training session lasting approximately 1 hour. It was agreed that this should not be held on the same evening as a Parish Council meeting as this would lead a 3 hour session. The Clerk will negotiate a separate evening event to which Council will invite TWBC Head of Planning Services as well.

SOCIAL MEDIA – FACEBOOK

194/17 Following Minute 163/17. It was noted that Cllr Mrs Rachel Washbourn has established a Goudhurst Parish Council Facebook Account.

ACCOUNTS

195/17 It was resolved unanimously that the following payments be made:

4196 Goudhurst Social Club Grant energy used War Memorial lights £50.00

4197 Poppy Appeal (s137) Goudhurst wreath Remembrance Day £25.00

4198 Poppy Appeal (s137) Kilndown wreath Remembrance Day £25.00

4199 PCC Goudhurst NDP Advert in Fete Programme + stall £130.00

4200 James Boot NDP Consultancy Sept 2017 £525.40

DDR Southern Electric Chequer Field pavilion energy £87.44

DDR South East Water Public toilets water services £66.00

DDR Veolia Environmental Services Burial Grounds bin Aug 17 £144.54

196/17 Cheques 4197 and 4198. Resolved that this Council, in accordance with its powers under sections 137 and 139 of the Local Government Act 1972, should incur this expenditure. In the opinion of this Council it is in the interests of the inhabitants of the Parish of Goudhurst and will benefit them in a manner commensurate with the expenditure of £50.00 to purchase two poppy wreaths for the 2017 Remembrance Day services at St Mary’s Goudhurst and Christ Church Kilndown.

197/17 Receipts in August 2017

Burial Board£1,190.00

NatWest interest£0.27

CCLA dividend£5.65

198/17 Bank reconciliation. Resolved to accept the Clerk’s explanation of the reconciliation of accounts to the end of August 2017 and noted that Council’s cash book balance was: